HANOI PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY N0 FOREIGN LANGUAGE FACULTY NGUYEN THI LAM COMMON ERRORS IN THE USES OF MODAL VERBS “CAN”, “COULD”, “MAY”, “MIGHT” MADE BY THE STUDENTS IN THE GRADE 11 AT QUE VO HIGH SCHOOL (SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGLISH) Supervisor: NGUYEN VAN DEN, M.A Hanoi, 2013 ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First of all, I would like to express my respect and my deepest thanks to my supervisor Mr Nguyen Van Den, M.A - Dean of English Faculty, Hanoi Pedagogical University No for his enthusiastic guidance, warm encouragement and useful research experiences I am greatly indebted to the teachers of English at Que Vo High School, especially Mrs Duong Thi Hoi for her help and guidance while I was carrying out the survey I wish to gratefully thank all the teachers of Hanoi Pedagogical University No for their invaluable knowledge which they provide me during the past four academic years I would also like to send my special thanks to my friends in K35A class, for their enthusiasm and kindness in helping me collect valuable reference documents and data for my research Last, but not least, my family is really the biggest motivation for me My parents and my brother always encourage me when I have stress and difficulty I would like to send them great love and gratefulness iii ABSTRACT The modal verb is an interesting category of English grammar There is category that always poses a question to me It is a particular kind of auxiliary However, the uses of the modals “can”, “could”, “may”, “might” referred to in some books have not been dealt with in full and sometimes cause confusion to learners of English As a result, students of English often make errors when they use the modals “can”, “could”, “may”, “might” Therefore, this research work entails studying the uses of them and conducting a survey for error analysis Base on the result of the survey, the types of errors and causes have been found Solutions to the problems have been suggested iv STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP Title: Common Errors in the Uses of modal verbs “can”, “could”, “may”, “might” made by the students in the grade 11 at Que Vo High School (Graduation paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in English) I certify that no part of this report has been copied or reproduced by me from any other person’s work without acknowledgements and that the report is originally written by me under strict guidance from my supervisor Date submitted: May 2013 Student Supervisor Nguyen Thi Lam Nguyen Van Den, M.A v TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgement ii Abstract iii Statement of authorship iv Table of contents v PART ONE INTRODUCTION I Rationale II Research presupposition III Research objectives IV Research scope V Research tasks VI Research methods VII Significance of the proposed research VIII Design of the research work vi PART TWO DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER ONE: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND I.1 Literature review in brief I.2 “Can”, “could”, “may” and “might” I.2.1 “Can”, “could”, “may” and “might” as modality I.2.1.1 Definition I.2.1.2 Classification I.2.1.3 Epistemic and deontic modals “can”, “could” “may”, “might” I.2.2 Some Grammatical Features of “can”, “could”, “may” and “might” I.2.2.1 Forms of “can”, “could”, “may” and “might” I.2.2.1.1 Positive form I.2.2.1.2 Negative form 10 I.2.2.1.3 Interrogative form 11 I.2.2.2 Tenses of “can”, “could”, “may” and “might” 11 I.2.2.2.1 Present tense 11 I.2.2.2.2 Past tense 12 I.2.2.3 “Can”, “could”, “may” and “might” combined with aspect and voice 12 I.2.2.3.1 “Can”, “could”, “may” and “might” with perfect aspect 12 I.2.2.3.2 “Can”, “could”, “may” and “might” with progressive aspect 12 I.2.2.3.3 “Can”, “could”, “may” and “might” with passive voice 12 I.2.3 Meaning/ uses of “can”, “could”, “may” and “might” 13 I.2.4.1 Possibility 13 I.2.4.2 Ability 15 I.2.4.3 Permission 17 I.2.4.4 Request 18 vii CHAPTER TWO: COMMON ERRORS IN THE USE OF THE MODAL VERBS “CAN”, “COULD, “MAY”, “MIGHT” II.1 Survey 19 II.1.1 Purpose of the survey 19 II.1.2 Population of the survey 19 II.1.3 Type of the survey 20 II.1.4 Construction of the test 20 II.1.5 Preparation of the survey 20 II.1.5.1 Test items 20 II.1.5.2 Arrangement of the test items 21 II.1.6 Administration of the try-out 22 II.1.6.1 Preparation of the try-out 22 II.1.6.2 Try-out 22 II.1.7 Method of data analysis 23 II.1.8 Results of the survey 23 II.2 Common errors and causes 25 II.2.1 Errors in the wrong verb use “can”, “could”, “may”, “might 25 II.2.1.1 Errors in the use of “can, “could” vs “may”, “might” 26 II.2.1.2 Errors in the use of “can”, “could” vs “be able to”, “be allowed to” 26 II.2.1.3 Errors in the use of “may”, “might” and “be able to”, “be allowed to” 26 II.2.2 Errors in the wrong tense use “can”, “could”, “may”, “might”… 27 II.2.2.1 Errors in the use of the modal verbs with perfect aspect 27 II.2.2.2 Errors in the use of the modal verbs with progressive aspect 27 II.2.2.3 Errors in the use of the modal verbs with the present/ future 27 II.2.2.4 Errors in the use of the modal verbs with the past 28 II.2.3 Errors in the use of “can”, “could”, “may”, “might” in sentences 28 II.2.3.1 Errors in the use of “can”, “could”, “may”, “might” in passive voice 28 II.2.3.2 Errors in the use of “can”, “could”, “may”, “might” in reported speech 28 viii II.2.3.3 Errors in the use of “can”, “could”, “may”, “might” in conditional sentences 29 II.2.3.4 Errors in the use of “can”, “could”, “may”, “might” in wishing sentences 29 II.2.4 Errors in the addition 29 II.2.4.1 Errors in the addition of -S, -ES 29 II.2.4.2 Errors in the addition of TO 30 II.2.4.3 Errors in the addition of another modal verb 30 II.3 Suggested and solutions 30 II.3.1 Suggested solutions 30 II.3.2 Suggested exercises 31 PART THREE CONCLUSION CONCLUSION 33 REFERENCES 35 APPENDICES 37 SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE 37 SUGGESTED EXERCISES 44 ix PART ONE INTRODUCTION I Rationale Nowadays, English is the most widely used in the world and plays an important role in the development of society and technology It is the bridge connecting countries in many fields The mastery of foreign language enables us to communicate with people from other countries, achieve mutual understandings, and further our trade contacts, economic co-operations, and cultural and academic exchanges with other countries In Vietnam, English is the compulsory subject for pupils in most of schools It is also an important subject for students at all universities Particularly, English is one of the essential requirements for those who want to find a good job However it is not simple We have to pay attention to grammar, structure, vocabulary, and pronunciation It is easy to make mistakes and often find a lot of difficulties in using the modal verbs when dealing with grammar It is proved that English grammar is complex and often causes embarrassment to students The modal verbs are one of the language categories that students at high school have to learn much Due to its various uses, it is assumed that are many errors which may be made In fact, many students confess that the modal verbs is one of the biggest problems of English grammar and often make errors in the use of the modals, especially modal verbs “can”, “could”, “may”, “might” For examples: She cans sing well We don't may go to the party tomorrow Moreover, as a prospective teacher, I would like to make a contribution to the English teaching in Vietnam For the reasons above, I conducted, which focus on errors in the uses of modal verbs “can”, “could”, “may”, “might” among the students of English in grade 11 at Que Vo High School x II Research presupposition Some questions are raised: 1) What kinds of errors in using the modal verbs “can”, “could”, “may”, “might” are made by the students of English in grade 11 at Que Vo High School in the school year of 2012/2013? 2) What are the causes of the errors in the uses of the modal verbs “can”, “could”, “may”, “might” made by the students of English in grade 11 at Que Vo School in the school year of 2012/2013? 3) What are some effective ways that help the students of English in grade 11 at Que Vo High School in the school year of 2012/2013 overcome these difficulties in the uses of the modal verbs “can”, “could”, “may”, “might”? III Research objectives The study is aimed at the following goals: 1) To find out the kinds of errors made by the eleventh -grade students of English Que Vo High School in the school year of 2012/2013 in using the modal verbs “can”, “could”, “may”, “might” 2) To find out the causes of the errors in the uses of the modal verbs “can”, “could”, “may”, “might” made by the students of English in grade 11 at Que Vo School in the school year of 2012/2013 3) To find the best solutions to the problems throughout the survey The solutions might be concentrated on both theory and practice, in which some teaching techniques are also introduced with the goal of minimizing students’ errors at Que Vo High School IV Research scope The general research area of this study is grammar The phenomenon is errors in the uses of the modal verbs “can”, “could”, “may”, “might” made by the students of English in grade 11 at Que Vo High School in the school year of 2012/2013 Others relating to the definite preposition of purpose are also brief mentioned xi REFERENCES Aik, K C & Hui, K.K (1992) Longman Dictionary of Grammar and Usage Longman Group UK Limited: England Alexander, L.G (1990) Longman English Grammar Practice for Intermediate Students Essex: Longman Azar, B S (2000) Understanding and Using English Grammar New York: Longman Azar, B S (1995) Basic English Grammar London: Longman Baugh, L S (1993) Essentials of English Grammar Illinois: passport Books Close, R A (1979) A Reference Grammar for Students of English London: Longman Dean, M (1994) English Grammar Lesson Oxford: Oxford University Press Eastwood, J (1994) Oxford Guide to English Grammar Oxford: Oxford University Press Eastwood, J (1992) Oxford Practice Grammar Oxford: Oxford University Press Graver, B D (1986) Advanced English Practice Oxford: Oxford University Press Halliday, M A K (1994) An Introduction to Functional Grammar London: Edward Arnold Hewings, M (1999) Advanced Grammar in Use Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Jacobs, R A (1995) A Grammar for English Professionals Oxford: Oxford University Press Lim, P L (1992) TOEFT Grammar Workbook New York: Arco Publishing Murphy, R (2000) English Grammar in Use Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Palmer, F R (1974) The English Verb London Quirk, R et al (1973) A University Grammar of English London: Longman Quirk, R et al (1985) A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language London: Longman xliv Quirk, R & Greenbaum, S (1987) A University Grammar of English London: University of England Quirk, R., Greenbaum, S., Leech, G & Svartvirk, (1979) A Grammar of Contemporary English London: Longman group UK limited Richard, S & Wellman G.( 1999) Grammar and Vocabulary for Cambrige Advanced and Proficiency Longman Sinclair, J et al (1990) Collins Cobuild English Grammar Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers Swan, M (1984) Basic English Usage Oxford: Oxford University Press Thomson, A J & Martinet, A.V (1989) A Practical English Grammar Oxford: Oxford University Press Vince, M (1994) Advanced Language Practice Oxford: Heinemann Walker, E & Elsworth, S (2000) Grammar Practice for Intermediate Students Essex: Longman Walker, E & Elsworth, S (2000) Grammar Practice for Pre-intermediate Students Essex: Longman Walker, E & Elsworth, S (2000) Grammar Practice for Upper- intermediate Students Essex: Longman xlv APPENDIX SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE This questionnaire is designed to collect data for my study on common errors in using modal verbs “can”, “could”, “may”, “might” of English students in grade 11 at Que Vo High School in the academic year of 2012/2013 We pledge that all the information related to the respondent will be kept confidential and will not be used for any other purpose We would like you to answer the questions (by ticking the boxes) and the attached exercises Thank you for your cooperation ******************************************** Part A: Could you please give some personal information? How long have you been learning English? a years b years c 11 years d years What is your English like? a Excellent b Good c Normal d Bad Part B: Please the exercises below Exercise 1: Choose the correct answer She can …… quite well a sing b sings c to sing d singing He will …… escape from the prison a can b could c be able to d be allowed to Why did you walk all the way from the station? You ………for a lift a can phone b could phone c can have phone d could have phoned The computer went wrong, but luckily Emma …… put it right again a can b could c be able to d has been able to xlvi He said that Marry ……… to be married this year a might be going b might be gone c can be going d can be gone If you hadn’t reminded me, I …… a might have forgotten b might have been forgetting c might had forgotten d might had been forgetting The interview ………… for other days a can be arranging b can have arranged c can be arranged d can had arranged I wish I …… on holiday with you next year a can come b can have come c could come d could have come Watch this, Mum; I ………stand on one leg a can b could c may d might 10 There are many times when traffic here …… be really heavy a can b could c is allowed to d is able to Exercise 2: Choose the sentence closest in meaning to the sentence given 11 It's possible that they don't live here any longer a They might not live here any longer b They can not live here any longer c They could not live here any longer 12 It isn't possible that they are twins a They might not be twins b They can not be twins c They may be twins 13 It could be that they are not married a They might not be married b They can not be married c They could not be married xlvii 14 Don't throw the picture away, give it to Tony a He may have liked it b He might have liked it c He might like it 15 When she went out this morning she left her briefcase here a She might have meant to leave it behind b She might mean to leave it behind c She may mean to leave it behind 16 Nobody knows where the jewels have gone a They might have been stolen b They might be stolen c They might be stealing 17 Can we borrow these books from the library? a Could we borrow these books from the library? b Are we able to borrow these books from the library? c Are we allowed to borrow these books from the library? 18 Don't wait for me a I might have been a few minutes late b I might be a few minutes late c I can have been a few minutes late 19 It would be nice to be able to fly a I wish I can fly b I wish I could fly c I wish I had flown 20 If I had a spanner, I could fix this a He said that if he has had a spanner, he could had fixed it b He said that if he has had a spanner, he could have fixed it c He said that if he had had a spanner, he could have fixed it xlviii Exercise 3: Fill in the correct form of can, could, may, might, be allowed to or be able to 21 An … not help his little brother with his homework yesterday 22 The students … to by their textbooks today The bookstore is all out of them 23 … you teach me how to fix my computer? You’re so good at it 24 When I was a child he … (they let him) exactly as liked 25 He …walk from here to Lodon in two hours It isn’t possible 26 The police were suspicious at first but I … convince them that we were innocent 27 I think I left my glasses in your office You … ask your secretary to look for them for me (request) 28 He …… drive since his accident (they haven’t let him drive) 29 If you had had the right tools, …… repaired the engine? 30 You … (have permission to) use my office Exercise 4: Rewrite the sentences, using can, could, may, might, be able to, be allowed to so that the meaning stay the same 31 I wish my writing in English was better I wish …………………………………………………… 32 It is impossible for Martin to be jogging in this weather Martin ………………………………………………… 33 I knew how to swim before was three I ……………………………………………………… 34 It is possible that John did not receive my message John ……………………………………………………… 35 We can take a day off if we want We ………………………………………………………… 36 “You may leave the office when you’ve finished” he said He said …………………………………………………… xlix 37 It is possible that the mouse is dead The mouse …………………………………………………… 38 It is possible that he telephoned while we were out He …………………………………………………………… 39 Perhaps he will be waiting at the station when we arrive He …………………………………………………………… 40 It is against the rules for drivers to drink alcohol Drivers …………………………………………………… Exercise 5: Translate into English the following sentences, using modal verbs 41 Tôi làm điều cho bạn bạn yêu 42 Ngày mai có lẽ phải 43 Cũng anh bắn chết rùi 44 Có lẽ hôm qua muộn 45 Có lẽ bạn không nhìn lần 46 Bạn không 47 Họ chiến thắng họ cố gắng 48 Câu có hai cách giải thích 49 Con chơi tối 50 Xong rùi, anh Thank you very much for your cooperation! l Key: Ex 1: A A C A D C B A A 10 A Ex 2: 11 A 16 A 12 B 17 C 13 A 18 B 14 C 19 B 15 A 20 C Ex 3: 21 could 26 was able to 22 aren’t able to 27 might 23 can 28 hasn’t been allowed to 24 was allowed to 29 could you have repaired 25 couldn’t have walked 30 may Ex 4: 31 I wish I could write better in English 32 Martin can’t be jogging in this weather 33 I could (was able to) swim before I was three 34 John might not have received my message 35 We are allowed to take a day off if we want 36 He said I might leave the office when I had finished 37 The mouse could be dead 38 He may have telephoned while we were out 39 He may (might) be waiting at the station when we arrive 40 Drivers are not allowed to drink alcohol li Ex 5: 41 I can that for you if you love me 42 He may come tomorrow 43 You may have killed him 44 He might/ could have come late yesterday 45 You may not be seeing him any more 46 You are not allowed to go out 47 If he had tried harder they would have been able to win 48 This sentence can be explained in two different ways 49 You may go out tonight 50 It is done, you may go home lii SUGGESTED EXERCISES Exercises 1: Choose the correct answer 'Do you know where Mark left the car keys?' 'He might have left/ can have left them on the table.' If Jerry hadn't grabbed my arm, I may have fallen/ might have fallen off the bridge I could have stayed/ may have stayed overnight with Don and Mary, but I thought I should get home as soon as possible In factories in the 19th century, a worker could be dismissed/ may be dismissed for being ill By the end of the day I can have finished/ may have finished painting the walls Tomorrow I'll start on the ceiling It can be/ could be possible one day to detect disease simply by looking at people's eyes The day started off misty, but the sun had appeared by the time we reached the mountain and we can climb / were able to climb it quite quickly Why did I listen to you? I can be / could have been at home now instead of sitting here in the cold! It's difficult to understand how explorers survive the conditions they encounter in the Antarctic I'm sure I can't / couldn't 10 This carpet was priced at $500, but I can get / was able to get a discount because of this little mark in the corner KEY: might have left could be might have fallen were able to could have stayed could have been could be dismissed can’t may have finished 10 was able to liii Exercises 2: Fill in the correct form of can, could, may, might, be allowed to or be able to (two answers are possible) Don’t take a risk like that again! We …… have lost because of you I had some free time yesterday, so I……….write a few letters She……… leave school until she had completed her work My teacher's given me a translation to for homework, but I……… understand it It’s a bad day She …… at home The plans were destroyed before they……… be read by the invading army They feared that he would kill again if he ………go free If I bought a lottery ticket I …… win $1000 When I was younger I was hopeless at sports I……… throw or kick a ball properly 10 Before the meeting finished, I ………give my side of the story 11 That was a lucky escape! We……… killed 12 Surely it ……… been Ann who told you 13 I am sorry I suppose I ……… been a bit rude 14 I ……… have brought that car, but I decided to look at a few others 15 I’ll wait a week so that he …… have time to think it over KEY: might could/ was able to couldn't/ wasn't allowed to can't/ I'm not able to may be could was allowed to might liv couldn't/ wasn't able to 10 was allowed to 11 might have been/ could have been 12 can have 13 might have 14 could 15 may Exercises 3: Put (Y) the pairs of sentences that express approximately the same idea And put (N) by those where there is a clear difference in meaning I may well have been a little bit late in arriving It's quite possible I was a little bit late We may not get there in time for the speeches We couldn't get there in time for the speeches This could be the chance we've al1 been waiting for This might be the chance we've al1 been waiting for This may very well be the last chance for peace This might very well be the last chance for peace That's probably the postman dropping in the weekly free newspaper That'll be the postman dropping in the weekly free newspaper They won't have read our fax yet I doubt if they've read our fax yet The exam results should be here by now The exam results should be here any day now They must have taken a short cut to get here They had to take a short cut to get here You could have done yourself a nasty injury You might have done yourself a nasty injury 10 The washing machine shouldn't be making such a strange noise The washing machine couldn't be making such a strange noise lv KEY: Y Y N N Y N Y J N 10 N Exercise 4: Rewrite the sentences so that the meaning stay the same Arthur is sometimes really irritating! (can) Arthur…………………………………………………… It wouldn’t have been right to let you all the work on your own (couldn’t) I …………………………………………………………… George knew how to ride a bicycle when he was five (be able to) George……………………………………………………… It’s possible that the last person to leave didn’t locked the door (might) The last person to leave…………………………………… Although you are in charge, it doesn’t give you the right to be rude (may) You ………………………………………………………… I managed to finish all my work (be able to) I ……………………………………………………………… And what is this baby doing sitting on my desk, if you don't mind my asking? (might) And what is this baby doing sitting on my desk, if………………… It would have been possible for Helen to give us a life (could) Helen………………………………………………………………… May I smoke in here? (be allowed to) Am I…………………………………………………………………… 10 It’s just not possible for the cat to have opened the fridge (can’t) The cat ……………………………………………………………… lvi KEY: Arthur can be really irritating! I couldn’t let you all the work on your own George was able to ride a bicycle when he was five The last person to leave might not have locked the door You may be in charge, but it doesn’t give you the right to be rude I am able to finish all my work And what is this baby doing sitting on my desk, if might ask Helen could have given us a lift Am I allowed to smoke in here? 10 The cat can’t have opened the fridge Exercise 5: Translate into English the following sentences, using modal verbs Anh biết bơi Con đường bị tắc Cậu mở hộ tớ cửa với, Lan? Nam có lẽ đợi cậu bến xe Bất hoảng hốt bắn sư tử Tôi làm điều cho bạn Anh trở thật sớm Bài tập làm theo hai cách Tôi ước bay 10 Bạn lấy sách bạn muốn KEY: He can/ is able to swim This road can/ may be blocked Could you open the window for me, Lan? Nam might be waiting you at the station Anyone could be frightened when shooting his first lion lvii I can that for you You may come back very soon This exercise can be done in two ways I wish I could fly 10 You may take these books if you want lviii [...]... students of English in grade 11 at Que Vo 2 High School are the most common This type of error is mainly caused by the limited knowledge about the meaning and uses of “can”, “could”, “may”, might xxxiv II.2.1.1 Errors in the use of “can, “could” vs “may”, might The errors in the use of “can, “could” vs “may”, might among the students of English in grade 11 at Que Vo 2 High School are the first common. .. might and find out common errors made by the students of English in grade 11 at Que Vo 2 High School in the school year of 2012/2013 II.1.2 Population of the survey The number of students joining in the survey questionnaire is one hundred students of English in grade 11 at Que Vo 2 High School They have to learn English as a compulsory subject Most of them have been learning English for 6 years Some have... on common errors in modal verbs “can”, “could”, “may”, might made by the students of English in grade 11 at Que Vo 2 High School To find out the errors made by those students, a survey questionnaire was conducted II.1.1 Purpose of the survey The overall objectives of the survey questionnaire are to test students understanding of the modal verbs “can”, “could”, “may”, might and find out common errors. .. error in the use of modal verbs Students who made the most errors were identified in the last step II.1.8 Results of the survey In the part of the survey, the students were asked to give their selfassessment of their English level and their understanding of modal verbs A great number of them said that their English was not good About, 30% of them said that they were rather good at English Some students. .. wishing sentences + Errors in the addition of -S, -ES Errors in the addition 21.66% “may”, might in reported speech + Errors in the use of “can”, “could”, 4 (95/400) + Errors in the addition of TO + Errors in the addition of another modal verb 16% (48/300) 11% (11/ 100) 9% (9/100) 8.5% (17/200) II.2 Common errors and causes II.2.1 Errors in the wrong verb use The errors in the wrong verb use of the students. . .The population involved in the study is one hundred eleventh -grade students of English (11A5, 11A6) at Que Vo 2 High School V Research tasks The study involves fulfilling the following tasks: 1) To study the definition and classification of the modality 2) To research into the grammatical features and uses of the modal verbs “can”, “could”, “may”, might 3) To conduct a survey to find out... English in grade 11 at Que Vo 2 High School were noted as follows 1) Errors in the wrong tense use “can”, “could”, “may”, might + Errors in the use of the modal verbs with the present/ future: 27% (81/300) + Errors in the use of the modal verbs with the past: 25% (100/400) + Errors in the use of the modal verbs with perfect aspect: 45.57% (319/700) + Errors in the use of the modal verbs with progressive... 37.66% (113 /300) xxxii 2) Errors in the use of “can”, “could”, “may”, might in sentences + Errors in the use of the modal verbs with passive voice: 23.75% (95/400) + Errors in the use of the modal verbs with reported speech: 21.66% (65/300) + Errors in the use of the modal verbs with conditional sentences: 20.25% (81/300) + Errors in the use of the modal verbs with wishing sentences: 16% (81/400) 3) Errors. .. of the modal verbs with the past 3) Errors in the use of “can”, “could”, “may”, might in sentences + Errors in the use of “can”, “could”, “may”, might in passive voice + Errors in the use of “can”, “could”, “may”, might in reported speech + Errors in the use of “can”, “could”, “may”, might in conditional sentences + Errors in the use of “can”, “could”, “may”, might in wishing sentences 4) Errors. .. the use of “can”, “could” vs “be able to”, “be allowed to” + Errors in the use of “may”, might vs “be able to”, “be allowed to” 2) Errors in the wrong tense use “can”, “could”, “may”, might + Errors in the use of the modal verbs with perfect aspect + Errors in the use of the modal verbs with progressive aspect + Errors in the use of the modal verbs with the present/ future + Errors in the use of ... year of 2012/2013? 2) What are the causes of the errors in the uses of the modal verbs “can”, “could”, “may”, might made by the students of English in grade 11 at Que Vo School in the school. .. presupposition Some questions are raised: 1) What kinds of errors in using the modal verbs “can”, “could”, “may”, might are made by the students of English in grade 11 at Que Vo High School in the school. .. of English Que Vo High School in the school year of 2012/2013 in using the modal verbs “can”, “could”, “may”, might 2) To find out the causes of the errors in the uses of the modal verbs “can”,